Snow Scene Award-winning painter Tinyan Chan is unveiling new work at the Whistler Contemporary Gallery on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Award-winning landscape painter Tinyan Chan is unveiling 12 new canvasses and attending a reception at the Whistler Contemporary Gallery in its Four Seasons Resort location, on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Chan, who trained in China and has been a resident of Vancouver for 48 years, is known for his impressionistic Canadian landscapes and urbanscapes of Hong Kong.

He describes the Group of Seven, Thom Thomson and Lawren Harris in particular, as big influences.

"This time my work has much variety. In Whistler, (people) will be able to see my newer pieces. There will be a large snow scene and a recent one of the Hong Kong skyline... an evening scene that is a bird's-eye view looking down on Victoria Harbour," Chan says.

He prefers to paint on large canvases in front of the scenes he captures, "in order to be more emotional and have freedom to do something more impressionistic, rather than sketches."

Chan is the recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the Federation of Canadian Artists.

The reception takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dylan Forbes wins Dirt Diaries at Crankworx

Professional athlete and filmmaker Dylan Forbes won the Dirt Diaries filmmaking competition at Crankworx, taking home the $5,000 first prize.

"I'm feeling a little bit surprised to be honest," Forbes said, following his win.

"I was so nervous. I didn't think I had it. Mike Gamble had such a good video, same as Ollie Jones, and Eddie Masters too. So funny. I can't thank my crew enough. They did so much work."

Masters came second, while Whistler's Gamble was third.

Forbes said he thought the quality of the riding was what set his video apart.

Judge Matt Dennison, part of the team that produces last year's winning video, said:

"(Forbes') video had the whole package. It had all of the components. Not only were the visuals awesome, but the sound edit was dialled, and it was unique, fun, and something we haven't seen before. It also kept us on the edge of our seats."

The plot of the video was that there was a mystery in the bike park, with mountain bikers going missing... the film reaches its climax when one of the bikers is looking for his friend, and a man dressed all in black chases him down the mountain, on a bike. it's later revealed that the "bad guy" is legend Chris Kovarik.

Douglas named new head of Arts Whistler

Maureen Douglas is the new executive director of Arts Whistler.

The organization announced the appointment of Douglas, an experienced arts and events administrator who was the director of communications and community relations for VANOC during the 2010 Winter Olympics, on Thursday, Aug. 11.

"Maureen brings a rich skill-set of leadership, facilitation, event management, and community engagement combined with decades of local knowledge living and working in the Sea to Sky corridor," said Heather Paul, chair of Arts Whistler's board of directors in a release.

Douglas has been acting executive director following the departure of Doti Niedermayer in February, and has been a member of Arts Whistler's board of directors since 2011.

In a phone interview Paul added: "Mo fell in love with the job, with the staff and the possibilities of Arts Whistler. And we fell in love with her. The possibility of her taking over wasn't on her radar and it wasn't on our radar."

Since the Games, Douglas has been working with municipalities and not-for-profit organizations as a strategist and facilitator.

She also spent a decade as the director of festivals and events at Tourism Whistler.

"I'm emotionally invested with everything I do. That's who I am," said Douglas in an interview.

"Within the first few weeks (after taking on the temporary role at AW) I saw that we were starting a new five-year plan, we all knew we were starting the next chapter (and I wanted to be part of it)."

The Whistler Arts Council was renamed Arts Whistler earlier this year.

Douglas will be profiled in the next issue of Pique Newsmagazine.

Audain Art Museum wins construction prize for builders

The builder of Whistler's Audain Art Museum has won a silver excellence award from the Vancouver Regional Construction Association Awards of excellence.

Axiom Builder Inc. took home the prize for Best General Contractors, $15 to $45 million, it was announced on Aug. 10.

Axion is one of 43 silver awards in 14 project categories for their use of innovative techniques, new materials or exceptional project management. All 43 are finalists for the Gold Award, the winner of which will be announced at the 28th annual Awards of Excellence dinner on Oct. 5 in Vancouver.

Whistler Film Fest Countdown tickets on sale

Tickets for the Whistler Film Festival's (WFF) annual Celebrate WFF Countdown Benefit is taking place at the Big Rock Urban Brewery in Vancouver on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.

The event features food stations, a brewery tour and tasting, entertainment and an auction and raffle. There will also be guest appearances and honourees, with an official unveiling of some films and talent appearing at the 2016 festival.

Arts Whistler (AW) has announced that $2,500 is available to local arts, culture and heritage groups in 2017.

AW's 2017 Member Group Grants typically range from $400 to $1,000 per group. Grants are intended to help groups implement projects or productions.

Eligible expenses include professional development workshops for amateur or professional writers, artists and performers; assistance with programming or productions in the performing, media or literary arts, art exhibitions, purchase of sheet music, or project related costs.

Priority will be given to established non-profit societies, though unincorporated groups are encouraged to apply.